Towards water neutrality: Reducing and offsetting the impacts of water footprints

Hoekstra, A.Y. (2008). Towards water neutrality : reducing and offsetting the impacts of water footprints. (Value of water research report series ; no. 28). Delft, The Netherlands, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education.  36 p.

The report can be downloaded from the Water Footprint web site

During the past few years the concept of the ‘water footprint’ has started to receive recognition as a useful indicator of direct and indirect water use. The increased interest in the water footprint has prompted the question about what consumers and businesses can do to reduce their water footprint.

This report introduces the idea of ‘water neutrality’.

‘Water neutral’ means that one reduces the water footprint of an activity as much as reasonably possible and offsets the negative externalities of the remaining water footprint. Compensation can be done by investing in a more sustainable and equitable use of water in the hydrological units in which the impacts of the remaining water footprint are located.

The report critically discusses strengths and weaknesses of the water-neutral concept. The main conclusion is that, despite the possible pitfalls and yet unanswered questions, the water-neutral concept offers a useful tool to bring stakeholders in water management together in order to discuss water footprint reduction targets and mechanisms to offset the environmental and social impacts of residual water footprints. However, the concept can become really effective in actually contributing to wise management of the globe’s water resources only when clear definitions and guidelines will be developed. There will be a need for scientific rigour in accounting methods and for clear (negotiated) guidelines on the conditions that have to be met before one can speak about water neutrality.

Undoubtedly there will be a great market for water-neutrality and water-offsetting, but without agreed definitions and guidelines the term water neutral is most likely to end up as a catchword for raising funds for charity projects in the water sector. In that context, the term can also fulfil a useful function, but it would be ‘water neutrality’ in its weakest form. It will become a strong concept only when claims towards water-neutrality can be measured against clear standards.